India, Thailand agree to step up relations

Indo-Thai relations can be traced back to the 3rd century BC when King Asoka sent Buddhist monks to preach Buddhism.

Currently, over 94% of the Thai population are Buddhists.

India and Thailand established formal diplomatic relations in 1947, soon after India's independence.

Currently they are both part of important multilateral fora including ASEAN, East Asia Summit, Asia and BIMSTEC.

India's 'Look East' policy was a significant factor in augmenting Indo-Thai relations.

Trade between the two nations increased eight-fold from 2000 to cross US$ 8.6 billion in 2014.

India's imports from Thailand primarily consists of chemicals, iron & steel, heavy machinery, etc.

Jwellery, precious metals, precious stones, rubber and appliances are the primary Indian exports to Thailand.

India & Thailand are expected to bolster bilateral co-operation to fight terrorism, improve maritime security and expand defence trade.

The move is strategic as it will improve India's presence in South East Asia, close to regions where China has territorial disputes.

A joint statement is expected to be issued on the subject during the Thai PM's bilateral visit to India.

Thai PM Gen. Prayut Chan-o-Cha arrived in Delhi on a bilateral visit.

The visit seeks to bolster bilateral relations in trade and defence and security.

Gen Chan-o-Cha and PM Modi are expected to hold talks regarding the situation in the South China Sea.

He is also expected to deliver a speech at a bussines event organized by FICCI/ASSOCHAM/CII.

Thai PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-Cha was given a ceremonial guard of honor at the Rastrapati Bhavan upon his arrival.

PM Modi & Gen. Chan-o-Cha also held bilateral discussions on a range of topics.

Both sides agreed to bolster co-operation in the fields of defence and maritime security.

Gen Chan-o-Cha will also attend the inaugural meeting of the India Thailand Joint Business Forum.

PM Modi and Thai PM Gen Prayuth Chan-o-Cha announced the issuance of double entry e-visas for Thai nationals to facilitate their visit to India's Buddhist shrines and monasteries.

Modi said the two sides "agreed to further deepen our security engagement in the fields of cyber security, narcotics, transnational economic offences and human trafficking."

The two sides are rapidly stepping up maritime defence co-operation too.